Locking device for the ignition circuit of motor cars or the like



April 1935- 4 A. M. DONOVAN 1,997,050 I LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE IGNITION CIRCUIT OF MOTOR CARS OR THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A? J7 J7 16 ffl ffi Y Z A B c D 4 15 7 d W E w 5 /6 v F I v 7 ALFRED MORGAN DONOVAN INVENTOR (Z9 BYQQ-OMMQLQ AT TORN EY5 April 1935- A. M. DONOVAN I Q 1,997,050

LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE IGNITION CIRCUIT OF MOTOR CARS OR THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALFRED MORGAN DONOVAN INVENTOR Maw;

AT TORN EY5 ea enr en r. 9, 935 p n f r 1 Y 1,997,050

UNITED ST TESLPATENT OFFICE LOCKING: DEVICE FOR THE IGNITION omoorr F MOTOR CARS on THE LIKE Alfred Morgan Donovan, Barking, England -Ap'plication March 24, 1932, Serial No. 600,922 i In Great Britain September 7, 1931 a Claims. (01. 1s0--22) This invention relates to locking devices for of the permutation lock together with means for the ignition circuits or for the bonnets or doors or looking or rendering the ignition circuit inoperother parts of motor vehicles or the like. ative; p

It is the chief object of the invention to provide Figure 3 is a partial plan view of Figure 2;

5' an improved locking device for use on motor ve- Figure 4 is a partial view illustrating the. outer 5 hicles or the like with a view to locking or maining of t e p at 100k; taining the ignition circuit inoperativeto pre- Figure dis a partialview illustrating the'inner vent unauthorized starting of "the vehicle or unring of the permutation lock; v l authorized access to the-ignition circuit by open- Figure 6 is an enlarged partial cross section of ing the bonnet or umuthorizedfactess to any a modified construction of draw-bolt; 10 other part of the vehicle to which the invention Figure '7 is a modification of the mechanism il-. is applied. v lu'strated in Figure 6;

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide Figure 8 s a Side e evation of mechanism for locking mechanism "particularly for motor ve-' loc the bonnet;

hicles comprising in combination a permutation Figure 9 is a d e v t O ur 15'L lock having a drawbolt, a number of locking rings Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of another surrounding said drawbolt and co-operatingthererm f nn l king m chanism; with to lock the said drawbolt in position; means Fi ur 11 i a cross sectional view tak n al n associated with said drawbolt for rendering an th e 0f Figure and V V H 20 ignition circuit inoperative when the drawbolt is Figure 12 is p V w O ure f:

in locked positionjand other means associated R rr w pa ula y t F ures 1', with-said drawbolt for locking movable parts of 2 and 3 0f the pa y g rawi g the ref-j a vehicle in position. The draw-bolt maybe proerence numeral l3 indicates a bracket which can vided with an extension whichmay'b'e so arbe mounted p the Steering olumn bracket of ranged as to open'or close or earth the ignition a motor" vehicle and to which t e. Permutation 25 circuit of'the vehicle. lock is'secured. The bracket l3is preferably 1 The construction of the permutation lock is made dju ab provided W ju ta e preferably such that the combination can readily mounting means so that h a ion ef the be changed and to enable this to be done each lock may be varied to suit the inclination of the ring is preferably formed in two parts comprising S e eelumh'te which the device is pp 30' an outer ring and an inner ring separable therealthough i i be pp d t at the device from, the inner ring being removable when the ay b pp -t y other p h t ad 0f the ringsare removed from the body of the lock to steering column. The permutation lock shown enable-the combination to be changed; It is also Comprises a back plate l4 bolted to the bracket preferred to provide the rings with means for pr- 3 a d a p u a y 0f leekingiihgs 15 which can venting the combination being determined by be rotated relatively to Stationary ringsJM The pulling on the draw-bolt and'rotating the rings back plate l4 has stamped thereon or isotherand feeling the operative position of each ring. wise provided with the letters of the alphabet as Means are also preferably provided for permit- Shown in Figure Ee-eh Ting in the n c- 40 ting the combination of the'lock to be altered tion shown is' provided with a pointer I 6 through only after the lock has been set to enablethe the med um efW eh the tinge 5 Can be rotated draw-bolt to be withdrawn. The draw-bolt may t seth m to pp p i c m in i n. The also be so constructed as to enable it to be placed rings 5 Oil-Op te W a d w-b av into locking position without the necessity of setteeth or serrations !8. The rings l5= are held in ting the combination. I position upon a central boss of the back plate 14 K In order that the said invention may be clearly by a face plate I9 having a bolt 20 which projects understood and readily carried into effect, the through the central boss to' the rear of the back. same will now be more fully described with refplate M as shown in Figure 2. lln'order to pre-' erence to the accompanying drawings which ilvent the face plate [9 being'removed unless the 50.v lustrate by way of example the'invention as apcombination is set, there is provided on the bolt plied to a combined ignition lock and bonnet 20 a nut, 2i the periphery of which is grooved or lock: in the drawings:- 1 serrated in such a manner that the draw-bolt ll; Figure 1 is a partial front elevation of the percan be embraced between the'walls of each groovemutation lockemployed in the invention; or serration. In the positionshown the nut 2l' Figure 2 is a side'elevation partlyin section cannot be rotated to allowtheplate I9 to be -re-; 55:

moved unless the draw-bolt H is previously removed from the lock,

Instead of employing a grooved or serrated nut for preventing the face plate Hi from being removed any other means may be used.

Each ring l comprises an outer ring l5 (Figure 4) and an inner ring l5 (Figure 5). The outer rings [5 carry the pointers l6 and are recessed as shown Figures 2 and 6 which recesses accommodate the inner rings The inner rings Hi project beyond the outer rings l5 as shown in Figures 2 and 6 and are each provided with a slot I5 When the slots l5, in the rings are in alignment the draw-bolt can g Withdrawn and likewise when the slots are not inalignment the draw-bolt when in the position shownin Figure 2 is locked. Each outer ring 15% has a series of equidistant circumferentially arranged. aper-Q tures l5 and each inner ring 5 is provided with a pin 15 on the reverse side of the ring'shown in I Figure 5, which can be received in any one of the apertures I5f in; the outer. rings Hie. The inner ring 15 has stamped or otherwise provided on its said boss the rings; in order to" bring the slots J5 shown, in which the draw-bolt is so constructed to enable it to be moved into the lockedposiftion without the necessity of settingthe combina tion. In this construction the teeth or serraf into alignmentare rotated so that the pointers l6 are located opposite the; letter on the back plate l4; corresponding'to the letteron the inner ring l5? that is opposite the pointer 16. The provision of the recesses ordepressions l5 prevents jthe combination being determined by pulling the draw-bolt I! and rotating each ring in turn and feeling when the slot IS in eachfinner ring passes, the teeth or serrations I8, If, the drawbolt I] is pulled the teeth orserrations i8; will enter the recesses I 5? opposite the teeth andthereby prevent the ringsfrorn being rotated.

; of employing a back plate M with the letters of the alphabet stamped thereon the rings.

l5 may beconstructedwith the letters of the alphabet arranged on their periphery the rings in this case being fiat or of conical form. In theconstructio-n of lock shown in Figure 2 it is necessary to set the combination both when it is desired to. withdraw the draw-bolt [I1 and when it. is desired to move the draw-bolt to the locked position. r

In. Figures 6 and '7 a modified construction. is.

tions I18; are capable of displacement when the draw-bolt is pushed intov locking position but prevent the draw-bolt from being, withdrawn 'unlessthe combination is set. The teeth or serrations l8 are formed uponra downwardly displaceable member I8 which is, mounted in aslot I8? inc-the draw-bolt, and is normally urged upwardly by means of a leaf spring [89; Thej toothed mem';- ber I 8 is'hel'din position by-means 0f screws I and the edges of;- the teeth I8;are inclined; at H1 as; shown to enable. the toothed. member 1.8: to

V The inner rings [5 are then arranged in the outer rings with the appropriateiletter of the combination located opposite the pointer 16 'thus when the rings are re-ass'embledupon the tothe terminall i be depressed when the draw-bolt I1- is pushed into locking position. When in locking position the spring I8 forces the member 18 upwardly so that the draw-bolt cannot be withdrawn until the combination is set. In the modifications shown in Figure 7 the member I8 is provided with slots I 8 that co-operate with pins I78 which maintain the member l8 in the slot I8.

'The draw-bolt I1 is providedwith an extention l'l (see Figures 2 and 3) screw threaded thereto which extension is guided in a lug l3 projecting from the bracket l3, the extension passing through one limb of another. bracket 22 which is adapted to be mounted in any suitable manner inside the bonnet of the vehicle. As shown the bracket 22 is pivotally mounted by a bolt 23 to another bracket orattachment member 24 which is secured to a convenient part of the vehicle for example to the underside of the scuttle or foot board. The bracket 22 is pivotally mounted so as to, e able the bracket to be inclined to suit the inclination of the bracket-.13 which as aforesaid may be secured to the steering column of the vehicle.

The draw-bolt extension projects through a. bush li mounted in another limbfof the bracket "22. which limb is provided with an insulating.

block I19. The insulating block carries a terminal I-l having a contact finger lle terminal Il is connected tothe magneto or other ignition; device of the vehiclev (for example the battery. of a coil ignition system) and when the drawbolt ll and the extension H are in the position shown the extension. 11 makes contact with the finger I!! and earths" or short circuits or otherwise renders; inoperative the ignition device. When, however, the draw-bolt l! is withdrawnrthe extension [l is moyedout of contact with the finger l topermit the ignition device. ,tQiunCtion.

, Instead-of earthing; or shortc-ircuiting; the igjnition deviceas aforesaid the extension] h may be arranged to operatemake and break contacts in the. ignitioncircuitg i v In Figures- 2 and 3-the ignition locking; mochanifsrn is.v shown as combined with means for locking the bonnet of the vehicle the purpose of preventing unauthorized use of the vehicle'by opening the bonnet and breaking theconnection. As shown the, extension I'l -is provided with; across piece 25 which is;

connected to. Bowdenwires; 26 having adjustable nipples 21. The BQWden: wires serve. to operate any suitable form. of mechanism for locking; the movable parts or flaps of the bonnet of oneself 'bothsides. of the vehicle.

Figures .8 and 9 illustrate one, form of bonnet locking mechanism whichcomprises a catch 2,81 pivoted at 2 Qb'etween the bent over end of a ve tical arm or bracket 30. The: catch 28 is of hook? The end (or. ends) of cross piece 25; is. connected tothe "catch ZBI'SQ;

that when the.=;draw-bolt. 1 .11 is withdrawn. the; catch 28; is moved against. the-tension of the;

spring 3| to draw'the pin or, stuck 32 out-of: the;

biiurcatledz end of the arm 30;. Thepreterredarrangement; is; suchtbati the. initiali withdrawali movementiof thegdrawi-bclt Etc render. the.- ia'n'i tion circuit operative does not move the catch 28 into a position in which the bonnet can be opened the movement of the catch into this position only being. effected whenthe'draw-bolt I1 is withdrawn to a position beyond the position in which the ignition circuit is initially rendered operative due for example, to the provision of a lost motion connection. The lost motion connection is shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which it will be observed that the cross piece 25 is loosely mounted on the drawbolt extension I! in such manner that when the drawbolt I1 is initially moved outwardly when the permutation lock is unlocked the crosspiece 25 remains stationary so that the switch device is first operated and the bonnet locks remain. in the locked position. Upon a further movement being imparted to the drawbolt the nut H engages the. said cross piece 25 and causes the latter to be moved to operate the bonnet catches. The upper portionof the hooked end of the catch 28 in the embodiment shown is curved so as to enable the movable flap of the bonnet to be moved into the locked position without the necessity of withdrawing the drawbolt.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a further construction of bonnet locking mechanism in which the end of the Bowden wire is connected to a plunger 33 mounted in a casing 34yand normally urged into the position shown in Figure 10 by means of a spring 35. The movable flap of the bonnet is provided with a co-operating locking element 3% the lower end of which has a laterally extending lug. 31 which when in the locked position shown in Figure 10 is adapted to lie beneath the plunger 33. The upper surface of the plunger 33 is inclined as shown to permit the movable flap of the bonnet to be moved into the locked position without the necessity of operating the draw-bolt I? to withdraw the plunger 33.

The mechanism described for locking the mov-' able parts or flaps of the bonnet in position may be employed for locking other parts of the vehicle for example the rear doors of a van.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a motor vehicle including a bonnet having a movable flap and an ignition device, a permutation lock having a drawbolt mounted for longitudinal movement, the latter or an extension thereof passing within the bonnet of the vehicle where it is associated with a switch device for rendering the-ignition inoperative when the said drawbolt is in locked position, a catch connected to the said drawbolt or to the extension thereof for locking the bonnet, means normally urging said catch into a position to lock said bonnet, the said catch being adapted to be moved to unlock the said bonnet after the drawbolt has been unlocked and moved beyond the position in which the said ignition circuit is renderedoperative, the locking mechanism being actuated upon a longi tudinal movement being imparted to the said drawbolt.

2. Locking mechanism particularly for motor vehicles comprising, a permutation lock having a drawbolt mounted for longitudinal movement, the drawbolt or an extension thereof being provided with a contact member associated with a switch for rendering an ignition circuit inoperative when the drawbolt isin, locked position, a

catch connected to the said drawbolt or to the extension thereof for looking a bonnet, means normally urging the said catch into locking p0-v sition, the said catch being adapted to be moved to unlocking position after the drawbolt has been unlocked and moved beyond the position in which the ignition circuit is rendered operative, the 7 locking mechanism being actuated upon a longitudinal movement being imparted to the said drawbolt.

3. In a motor vehicle including a bonnet having a movable flap and an ignition device, a permutation lcck having a drawbolt, the latter or an extension thereof passing within the bonnet of the vehicle where it is associated with a switch device for rendering the ignition circuit inoperative when the drawbolt is in locked position, a. catch connected to the said drawbolt or to the extension thereof for locking the bonnet, means normally urging said catch into a position to lock the said bonnet, the said catch being adapted to be moved to unlock the said bonnet after the said drawbolt has been unlocked, the shape of the catch being such as to enable the bonnet to be moved into the locked position without the. necessity of moving the said catch to the unlocked position. c

4. Locking mechanism particularlyfor motor vehicles comprising in combination a permutation lock having a drawbolt mounted'for longitudinal movement and provided with a contact member associated with a switch device, a transverse member on said drawbolt, a lost motion connection between said transverse member and said drawbolt, the said transverse member being connected to a catch for locking movable parts of a vehicle in position, the said switch device and the catch being operated upon a longitudinal movement being imparted to the said drawbolt, the

lost motion connection enabling the drawbolt to operate the switch device without operating the said catch until the drawbolt is moved beyond the position in which the said switch device is operated.

5. In a motor vehicle including a bonnet having a movable flap and an ignition device, a permutation lock havinga drawbolt, a switch device associated with a contact member on said drawuntil the drawbolt is moved beyond the position v in which the said switch device is operated.

6. Locking mechanism as in claim 5, wherein the said catch comprises a member normally urged into locking position, one surface of the said catch being shaped so as to permit acooperating member on the said bonnet to be moved into the locked position without the necessity of moving the'said catch into the unlocked position.

'7. Locking mechanism as in claim 2, wherein the said catch is pivotally mounted.

8. Locking mechanism as in claim 3, wherein the said catch is pivotally mounted.

ALFRED MORGAN DONOVAN. 

